What is a fuel cell?

A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity by a chemical reaction. Anode : 2H 2 + 4eCathode : O2 + 4H+ + 4eOverall equation : 2H2 + O2 Energy

4H+ 2H2 2H20 +

Model Of Fuel Cell

Types of fuel cells

Alkali fuel cells Molten Carbonate fuel cells Phosphoric Acid fuel cells (PAFC) Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Solid Oxide fuel cells (SOFC)

Fuel Cells In Space Technology

For space applications energy production is cyclic NASA power system The Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell (URFC) Applications - high altitude balloons ,high altitude solar airplanes, etc.

Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell System

Proton Exchange Membrane in URFC Energy storage system. Potential ability to store large amounts of energy
URFC Fuel Cell + Electrolyser

Energy Density
Energy delivered per unit mass of storage system The Energy density is given by Ed = (Output energy/Reactant weight) Vd Id n td = = Output Energy = n Vd Id td Discharge cell voltage, volts Average discharge current, amps

= Number of cells in the URFC stack = Discharge time, hours Reactant weight

Mw =

Parameters Influencing Energy Density

Where, R = gmole-k) T = MOPw = f(Vd) = Kw = Merit) Ka = weight=(As/w) Where , Ideal Gas Constant = (84.78 Kg-cm3)/(cm2Temperature in Kelvin Maximum operating gas pressure (Kg/cm^2) Id (Discharge current density in A/cm^2) 0.336*106 (cm) (Water-Tank-Figure-ofThe ratio of the total cell area to stack As = Total cell area W = Stack weight

Discharge Voltage And Current Density Optimization

URFCS EFFICIENCY
It is defined as the ratio between output energy to the input energy with regard to charging &discharging of the system

The Solar Airplane

The solar airplane is an ultra light flying wing aircraft Its surface of the wing is covered with solar cells that produce electric power Need for URFC in Solar aircraft

Schematic Diagram Of URFCS

URFC Energy Storage System Component

URFC Stack Gas Storage Tanks Water Tank Condensers Regenerative Dryers Gas Regulators/ Check Valves Energy Storage System Shell

URFC Energy Storage System Operation Description

Electrolysis Operation Fuel Cell Operation Electrolysis To Fuel Cell Transition Fuel Cell To Electrolysis Transition

Packaging Of URFCS

Summary Of URFCS

URFCS capable of delivering 3500 watts during a 12 hour discharge period. The overall energy density is 791 w-hr/kg. Lightweight energy storage system.

Variations In URFCS Performance

The Size of Water Tank:
The water tank was sized to provide sufficient water storage for 3500 watts discharge power for 12 hours.

The gas tank volume:

The gas tank volumes were sized such that the fully charged tanks had a peak storage pressure of approximately 28.1 kg/cm2 (400psia)

URFCS Performance Parameters

URFCS Stack Electrical Performance URFCS Reactant Mass/Pressure Water Vapor Management

Conclusion

Energy densities as high as 800 w-h/kg are possible for URFCS based energy storage systems The longer the discharge times for the URFCS the greater the energy density possible. Over 90% of the volume could be saved from the energy storage system described in this paper.

Bibliography

Journal of Power Source Fred Mitlitsky, Blake Myers, and Andrew H. Weisberg, Regenerative Fuel Cell Systems, Energy & Fuels F. Mitlitsky, N. J. Colella, B. Myers, C. J. Anderson, Regenerative Fuel Cells for High Altitude Long Endurance Solar Powered Vehicles,